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Energy Fix contest seeks five businesses for lighting "makeover"

Prize is $5,000 in lighting upgrades: entry deadline is April 27

If you're like a lot of small businesses (or non-profit organizations), you already know you could save money if you shifted to energy-efficient lighting.

The challenge is in finding the resources — money, time and knowledge — to make it happen.

If that describes you, it's time to enter the Energy Fix. Five companies or non-profit organizations around the province will each win a lighting makeover worth up to $5,000, helping them towards energy efficiency and cost savings.

So who's the ideal candidate for the Energy Fix?

"A good example is Super Suds, the laundromat from Quesnel that was a finalist in last year's contest," says Janis Tong, coordinator of the Energy Fix. "Their previous lighting was old and poor quality, and they weren't really sure about their options. They didn't know a lot about energy efficiency but they were very committed to trying to improve their space, very involved in their community, and very enthusiastic."

The owners of Super Suds promoted their energy efficiency work through various clubs and business affiliations in their community, as well as by inviting other businesses to see the results of their work. Based on what they learned, they upgraded another retail store they own.

This year's Energy Fix will focus on five regions around the province (previous makeover winners were based in Victoria and the Lower Mainland). The regions are:

Region 1 – Prince Rupert, Terrace, Smithers, Kitimat

Region 2 – Cranbrook, Kimberly

Region 3 – Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Vernon, Revelstoke

Region 4 – Campbell River, Courtenay, Comox, Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo

Region 5 – 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel

Entry is through an online form with just four questions, though you can dress up your entry with photos and a video. Companies or non-profit organizations that use less than $200,000 of electricity per year and do not have a key account manager are eligible. Entry is open now, and closes at 5 p.m. on April 27, 2012.

"Basically, we want to know why you deserve the makeover and what you would do to promote energy efficiency in your community," says Tong. "We'll evaluate the entries and pick two finalists in each region, then there will be online voting — everyone can vote for the entries they feel are best."

Voting for the finalists will be online at the Energy Fix website from May 14 – May 25. The five new winners of the Energy Fix will be announced around May 29. Enter now.